Why Does It Always Have to be Done That Way?

Featured Author:

Paul Shapiro

Paul Shapiro specializes in the research, development and training of large flow water delivery systems and fire stream management. His extensive research and outcomes of large diameter hose has been published frequently in fire service trade magazines. Paul has made significant contribution to fire response efficiency with his application-based research of large caliber fire streams working with handline and master stream operations.
Paul has been involved with the fire service since 1981, and is serving Las Vegas as an Engineer with the City of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. In March of 2007 his department gave him the Engineer of the Year award for 2006. He is a certified Fire Instructor III for the State of Nevada, has served on the faculty of many Fire Academies throughout the United States, and was named Instructor of the Year, 1999, by the Colorado Fire Academy. Paul is recognized nationally as an expert in his field, and is also the author of the popular book, Layin’ the Big Lines as well as the producer of the video, Large Flow Water Delivery.

More articles from this author:

Whether it’s department SOPs, SOGs, or just the word from the old-timers, we in the fire service have rules that govern the way we do things. Especially when it comes to moving water. Some of these rules have been established from years past, while others are more recent. What are rules based on? They can be anything from fire service textbooks on water delivery to actual fireground incidents from the past that may have gone bad. Who knows? Some of you may be thinking, water flow is water flow. Water in, water out. How or why should it change? Do you think our forefathers had the same hesitation when there was talk of trading in the buckets for hose or horses for motorized apparatus? Or, how about those darn SCBAs, only wimps use them.

Let’s take a look at different methods and techniques of water delivery that have been taught over the years based on fire service textbooks, department rules or policies, or just because. It should be noted that all techniques and operations that are going to be discussed in this article as the new alternative methods go directly in line with manufacturers recommendations for their equipment and have been used safely and successfully on the fireground.